Agenda and minutes

To receive any announcements to be made by the Chairman (both retiring and incoming).

The Chairman referred to the Announcements circulated and his year in office.  He thanked members and officers for making it a memorable year.

To elect a Chairman of the Council to hold office until his or her successor becomes entitled to act.

The nomination of Mrs P E Davey was moved by Mr A I Hardman and seconded by Mrs L R Duffy.

A further nomination, that of Mr J Baker, was moved by Mr P M McDonald and seconded by Mr A T Amos.

RESOLVED:  that Mrs P E Davey be elected Chairman of the Council for the ensuing year, to hold office until her successor becomes entitled to act.

To appoint a Vice-Chairman of the Council to hold office until immediately after the election of a Chairman at the next Annual Meeting of the Council.

The nomination of Mr I Hopwood was moved by Mrs L C Hodgson and seconded by Mrs E A Eyre.

A further nomination, that of Mr J Baker, was moved by Mr P M McDonald and seconded by Mr A T Amos.

A final nomination, that of Mrs E B Tucker, was moved by Mr T A L Wells and seconded by Mr M E Jenkins.

RESOLVED:that Mr I Hopwood be elected Vice-Chairman of the Council until the election of the Chairman at the next annual meeting.

To allow a member of the public to present a petition or ask a question relating to the functions of the Council, or to make a comment on any matter on the agenda.

Members of the public wishing to take part should notify the Director of Resources in writing or by e-mail indicating both the nature and content of their proposed participation no later than 9.00am on the working day before the meeting (in this case Wednesday,14 May 2014). Further details are available on the Council’s website. Enquiries can also be made through the telephone number/e-mail address listed below.

Three petitions were presented at the meeting.

1.         Ms Pauline Burgess presented a petition calling on the Council to prohibit the culling of badgers on council-owned land and invest in vaccination programmes locally.  The petitioners were asking this because they believed culling to be inhumane, inefficient and unscientific.

Ms Burgess told the Council that this was a national issue which might also be of concern locally in the future. She asked the Council to ensure that badgers were as safe as possible from slaughter, with vaccines being used as often as possible.

2.         Mr K Stokes presented a petition precipitated by the sudden closure of the waste recycling and disposal plant at Hoobrook, Kidderminster.  The petitioner claimed that there had been no extra facilities put in its place and people from Kidderminster were now sharing the recycling/disposal plant on the Stourport Road.  There were now queues at certain times of the week of over 15 to 30 minutes and longer at the Stourport recycling site. People were concerned about health and safety on the now shared site and how the traffic for the site had to queue on the main dual carriageway, as well as the longer travelling distances to get to the site to dispose of their refuse.

3.         Mr C J Bloore presented a petition from concerned local residents about the traffic junction situated between the A38, Stoke Road and Charford Road.  The petitioners stated that this road was currently unsafe for the large number of children, parents and residents who used it. They believed the speed limit should be reduced to 40mph and significant steps taken to improve the safety of the junction.

The Chairman thanked all those presenting petitions and promised that each would receive a written response from the relevant Cabinet Member with Responsibility in due course.

To approve as a correct record and authorise the signing of the Minutes of the meeting held on 13 February 2014 (previously circulated electronically).

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 13 February 2014 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive apologies and invite any Councillor to declare any interest in any of the items on this Agenda.

Apologies for absence were received from Mr M H Broomfield, Ms R E Jenkins, Prof J Raine and Mr G J Vickery.

Two declarations of interest were made:

Mr P Denham - Agenda item 13, Notice of Motion 4, as Chairman of the Worcester City Council Licensing and Environmental Health Committee.  He also declared an interest as his wife was a member of the Shared Services Committee.

Mr P Grove - Agenda item 13, Notice of Motion 4, as a member of the Licensing Committee of Malvern Hills District Council.

The Chairman referred to the earlier announcements made by the outgoing Chairman and added remarks about the retirement of Trish Haines and a farewell event for her on 29 May 2014.

To consider a report on the Future Operating Model for the work of the County Council and any consequent changes to the Directorate structure which may be required (yellow pages).

The Council had before it a comprehensive report on a proposed future operating model.

The report set out that the Council had faced significant challenges over the last three years, primarily brought about by changed financial circumstances with £100m of savings to be found by 2017/18, and increasing demographic pressures year on year. The number of older people in the county who were eligible to access Council social care was rising, and the number of children Looked After by the Council had increased substantially over recent years.

In response to these changes the Council had successfully launched the BOLD Programme in 2010 which focused on reform, efficiencies and reducing spending. During this period the way the Council operated had evolved incrementally rather than being designed.  The report listed a comprehensive set of proposed changes to the way the Council should operate to ensure it was fit for the future.  The report set out that should the proposed changes be approved, then once implemented they would fundamentally change the operation of the Council, enabling it to be more responsive, agile, innovative, and above all commission services for residents that met need and delivered high quality and good value.

The Council was reminded that a refreshed Corporate Plan was published in January 2013, with an opportunity to focus the Council's efforts and finances on four key areas of focus, with 'Open for Business' being a key priority.  The Council was also reminded that as indicated in the Leader's report to Council in January 2014, it was unlikely that the current way of operating will be fit for the future.  The challenge would be to maintain outcomes for the county's residents whilst recognising the financial constraints and also that the size of the workforce was reducing. Commissioning was to be the driver for delivering these priorities, with real emphasis on both current and future needs, within the reduced financial envelope.  

The report emphasised that the changed role of the Council in becoming a strategic commissioner was becoming evident. The focus of each of the commissioning programmes would be to make savings, but at the same time maintain outcomes for residents and service users by harnessing external expertise and innovation.

·         The commissioning of Learning and Achievement services was agreed by Cabinet in April 2014 with a view to a new provider being found and in place by April 2015; the provider would be expected to drive through transformational change to deliver innovative solutions in a range of services supporting schools and pupils and continue to work with schools to improve educational outcomes within existing financial constraints.

·         There had been discussions with potential alternative providers for Adult Social Care services currently provided internally, and this would inform options for the future delivery of these services; this fitted into the context of the Future Lives programme where the Council would be giving service users eligible for Council funded care greater choice over the services they use and control over their own personal budgets.

·         Commissioning of five  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1557.

The Council had before it a report setting out the proposed structural changes consequent upon the decision set out in Minute Number 1557 above.

The report set out in detail that there would need to be some structural changes within Directorates to implement the Future Operating Model already agreed by the Council.  The report proposed that the three strategic commissioning, frontline Directorate structures (Business, Environment and Community, Children's Services, Adult Services and Health) should remain, but a number of functions within these directorates would change.  This would mean that a small number of specific roles would need to be considered for deletion with new ones created. 

The report set out that to reflect the new operating model, the current Resources Directorate and Chief Executive's Unit be replaced by a new Commercial and Change Directorate. This would mean the deletion of both the Assistant Chief Executive post and the Director of Resources post, and the creation of a new Director post in order to better deliver the Future Operating Model.

The report outlined a number of proposed changes relating to specific directorates.

DASH

The Council would be updating joint commissioning with the NHS to reflect the developing plans for integration of health and adult social care, the development of the Well Connected programme and to ensure consistency with the Council's emerging operating model.

The report set out that this would include:

·         Working with local NHS towards further integration of health and adult social care.

·         Discussions at the Health and Wellbeing Board concerning the development of a bigger pooled commission budget and appropriate governance arrangements to support the Well Connected programme

·         Integrated commissioning of health and social care  becoming increasingly important as a step towards pooling budgets

·         The need to strengthen capacity and capability which could include the merging of Joint Commissioning and Well Connected functions and resources, placing professional management of contracting staff through to a corporate centre and transferring children's commissioning back to Children's Services.

These proposals were currently being discussed with relevant staff and a further report to the Appointments Etc Panel detailing the structural changes within DASH would be submitted as necessary in the autumn. 

BEC

The BEC Directorate would need to make a number of  changes to ensure the role of strategic commissioner was clear and effective.   Therefore it was proposed that the current Heads of Services posts within BEC, be deleted and 3 new posts created : Head of Strategy and Infrastructure, Strategic Commissioner - Major Projects, and Head of Community and Environmental Services, all under the Director's leadership.  These proposals were explained later in the report and it was recommended that the Appointments Etc Panel consider and determine these proposals and their detailed implementation following any necessary consultation.

The new structure would better reflect the Council's emerging operating model and provide clarity on the commissioning lead within the Directorate. It would also provide for a more coherent approach to the development and delivery of the Council's strategic infrastructure priorities whilst focussing community service provision into  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1558.

To consider a report on (a) the establishment of a Waste Credit Governance Committee (further to Minute 1525), and (b) dates for future Council meetings. (yellow pages)

The Council had before it a report on the establishment of a Waste Credit Governance Committee.

The report reminded the Council that on 16 January 2014 it had authorised a loan of up to £125m to Mercia Waste Management Ltd (Mercia) as the best way to fund an Energy from Waste plant at Hartlebury.  This was connected with a proposed variation to the existing Waste Management Services Contract with Mercia approved by the Cabinet on 12 December 2013. 

After much commercial negotiation, contract variation and loan agreements with Mercia, the Council was now ready for formal execution ('Financial Close').   The previous Council report proposed the establishment of a Waste Credit Committee to underline the separation between the Council's two roles as lender and as waste disposal authority.   It was proposed that such a committee would operate during the period of the loan (i.e. after Financial Close over the life of the Waste Management Services Contract until 2023).  The Council in January 2014 had decided to reconsider the issue of a Waste Credit Committee at this meeting. 

Attached to the report was a proposed Terms of Reference setting out a politically balanced cross-party committee to have oversight of the actions of the Council acting as lender.  The Cabinet, not the Committee, would remain responsible for decisions in respect of the operation of the waste contract, or any waste disposal authority executive functions.  The Cabinet would have no supervisory or other responsibility for the Committee, and to emphasise this separation it was proposed that no members of the Cabinet should sit on this Committee.

The report set out that the Council was therefore being requested to establish the Committee with the Terms of Reference shown attached to the report, and to appoint its Chairman.  It is also requested to appoint a Vice-Chairman from a Group other than that forming the administration.  Other appointments to the Committee would then follow in line with political balance and as nominated by the respective Group Leader.  

The report concluded that it was anticipated that, if approved, the first meeting of the Committee would be in July 2014, meeting approximately every other month during the construction phase of the Energy from Waste plant, and less frequently thereafter.

RESOLVED THAT

(a)     a Waste Credit Governance Committee with the Terms of Reference as set out in the Appendix attached to the report be approved;

(b)     Mr W P Gretton be appointed as the Chairman and Mr L C R Mallett be appointed as the Vice-Chairman of the Committee; and

(c)     the members of the Committee be appointed in accordance with the requirements of political balance and the Head of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to give effect to the nominations from time to time of the respective political Groups.

The Council had before it a report on the meeting dates for 2015.

The report reminded members that County Council meeting dates were currently scheduled up to November 2014. To enable the 2015 meetings programme to be produced and help members plan their commitments, the Director of Resources was suggesting that further meetings of the Council be now scheduled for 2015.  In accordance with the usual practice and pattern of meetings, further meetings (Cabinet, Committees and Panels) would be arranged and members notified in due course.

For completeness the report contained the remaining Council meeting dates for 2014 namely 3 July 2014, 18 September 2014 and 13 November 2014.

RESOLVED that the programme of meetings for 2015 as follows be approved:

15 January 2015

12 February 2015

14 May 2015

2 July 2015

17 September 2015

12 November 2015.

To consider a report on the future Work Programme of the Overview and Scrutiny function. (yellow pages)

The Council had before it a report which set out the proposed Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme for 2014/15.

The report set out that the Council had agreed the 2013/14 scrutiny work programme in October 2013 and the progress made against this was set out in the Scrutiny Annual Report that had been considered by the Council in January 2014.

Since that time, suggestions for future scrutiny had been sought from members and the Strategic Leadership Team, and were considered and agreed by the Overview and Scrutiny Performance Board on 9 April 2014. 

The draft work programme was attached to the report as an Appendix and was presented in priority order.  The report noted that several of the topics listed would be best carried out as Scrutiny Task Groups, due to their cross–cutting nature.

The report also set out that the Chairman of the OSPB had suggested a new process for scrutinising the Council's budget.  The intention would be to establish a Budget Scrutiny Task Group in October each year, to investigate, scrutinise and comment upon budget proposals.

RESOLVED that the 2014/15 Scrutiny Work Programme be endorsed.

To consider the reports of the Cabinet and to receive answers to any questions asked on those reports.  Matters which require a decision by Council are on yellow pages. Matters upon which decisions have been taken by the Cabinet are on white pages.

The Council had before it a report which set out information about new Specific Grant confirmations and sought approval to change revenue cash limits consequent upon their receipt.

The Government had recently communicated the value of the extension of the Adoption Reform Grant (£0.4 million) and the new Special Educational Needs (SEN) Reform Grant (£0.6 million) for 2014/15.  Both areas were key reform priorities for the Government and although formal grant returns would not be required, the Department for Education (DfE) would expect the Council to report on its plans to implement the change agenda in both of these areas.

The DfE had met senior officers of the Council to discuss the adoption scorecard and the use of the existing adoption reform grant and plans for the future service developments.  Meetings were also taking place over the coming months to discuss how the Council would be implementing the changes required within SEN reform.  As such, the Council would be required to ensure that both these areas of funding were targeted to meet the required outcomes on a cross-Children's Services Directorate basis.

The report set out that it was expected that detailed plans for the use of this additional money would be endorsed by the Children's Services Leadership Team to ensure that the best use of these grants was made.

The report concluded by suggesting that the Council should ring-fence both these grants for the purposes intended by Government and the Director of Children's Services would then use this funding in line with normal officer delegations.

RESOLVED that the changes to the revenue cash limits contained in the report arising from the receipt of adoption reform and Special Educational Needs revenue grants be approved.

The report set out that in February 2014, the Council approved a Capital Programme which included an allowance of £20 million to cover unallocated capital expenditure.  Specifically the report set out that work had now been concluded to determine those schemes that were sufficiently developed to transfer into the Capital Programme including review by the Corporate Landlord Board and members.  The report contained details of a series of schemes recommended for inclusion in the Council's Capital Programme.  An equivalent reduction in unallocated capital expenditure would be made to ensure there was no additional requirement for prudential borrowing.

These new capital expenditure proposals were included in a revised Capital Programme detailed in the Appendix attached to the report.

The report concluded with confirmation that the Devolved Formula Capital Grant for Schools was £1.1m.  At the time of writing the February Council report this had been shown as estimated.

RESOLVED that the Capital Programme, as attached to the report, be approved.

The Leader of the Council reported the following topics and answered questions in relation to a number of them:

·         FutureFit: Commissioning of Learning and Achievement

·         West Mercia Adoption Service

·         Worcestershire Safeguarding Children Board Annual Report 2012/13

·         Children's Social Care: Partnership with Parents, Carers and Young People Policy

·         Formal Proposal to make changes to the provision for Pre-School Aged Pupils with Special Educational Needs in Worcestershire

·         Implementation of a Banded Funding Model as part of the Higher Needs Pupils Funding Scheme with effect from April 2014

·         School Admissions Policy for Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools, Academic Year 2015/16

·         Increasing the Number of School Places available for Reception Intake September 2015 and Future Arrangements for Decisions on School Places and Organisation

·         Hosting Arrangements for West Mercia Youth Offending Service

·         Worcestershire's Long-Term Economic Plan

·         Prevention, Early Help and other Support for Adults and Young People: Outcome of Consultation and Final Recommendations

·         Business Case for a Joint Property Vehicle

·         Major Transport Scheme - Hoobrook Link Road (Phase 2)

·         Resources Report

-        Revenue Budget Monitoring 2013/14 Outtrun Forecast as at 28 February 2014

-        Capital Programme Budget Monitoring: 2013/14 Actual Expenditure as at 28 February 2014

-        European Structural and Investment Funds (EUSIF) Submission

-        Partnership arrangements with the National Health Service

-        Financial support for homeowners and businesses as a result of the recent flooding

-        Schools Funding 2015/16

-        Car Parking - County Hall Campus

-        Data Sharing with Central Government

-        Performance Matters

To receive answers to any questions asked by Councillors (orange pages). 

(Members are reminded of the timescale adopted by Council for notice of questions. A Councillor may only ask a question if:

·         it is delivered in writing to the Director of Resources by noon on Monday 12 May 2014  or

·         if it relates to urgent business, the Director of Resources is notified at least half an hour before the start of the meeting).

Twelve questions had been received by the Director of Resources and had been circulated before the meeting.  Those questions to be taken on the day were asked (or taken as read).  Eight questions were dealt with in this manner and answers given.  The remaining four questions would receive a written answer.   All answers are enclosed with these Minutes.

To receive the reports of the Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Children and Families and the Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Localism and Communities on current issues and proposed developments within their areas of responsibility and to receive answers to any questions on them (green pages).

The Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Children and Families presented her report which covered a number of overarching issues:

·         Learning and Achievement

·         Early Years

·         Key Stage Two performance

·         Key Stage Four performance

·         Key Stage Five performance

·         Social Care

·         Early Help (Stronger Families) and Partnership

The Cabinet Member with Responsibility answered questions about the report which included:

·         the rate of change in Children's Services including the commissioning of Learning and Achievement

·         the possibility and desirability of moving to a two-tier structure of education across the county if this had no negative financial consequences for the Council

·         the preparation being made to deal with over-subscription and the supply of school places due to changing demographic trends

·         training for the role of corporate parent

·         the importance of a strong in-county foster care capacity to reduce costs and improve outcomes.

The Cabinet Member with Responsibility promised written responses on:

·         the new Holyoakes School site in Redditch.  Will the school be moving, be replaced or repaired?

·         The Inquest into the death of the Looked After Stourport teenager.  Will this be a subject to be raised at a Cabinet Member Briefing session?

The Chairman thanked the Cabinet Member with Responsibility for her report.

The Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Localism and Communities presented her report which covered a number of overarching issues:

·         Libraries

·         Lifelong Learning

·         The Joint Museum Service

·         Archives and Archaeology Service

·         The School Music Service

·         The county Arts Service

·         Corporate Information Management Unit (CIMU)

·         Registration and Coroner Services

·         Countryside Services

·         Gypsy & Traveller Services

·         Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS)

·         Regulatory Services

·         The Hive

·         "Act Local"

·         "Open for Business"

The Cabinet Member with Responsibility answered questions about the report which included:

·         the future of Waseley Hills Country Park and whether the Council intended to "outsource" the service.  The Cabinet Member with Responsibility confirmed that the Countryside Service was a much valued part of the council's provision

·         the future provision of a mobile library service.  Again the Cabinet Member with Responsibility referred to the value placed by the public on this service and the investment being made in it.

·         budget reductions in the Archives and Archaeology Service and the reassurance that these areas would be maintained and protected.  The Cabinet Member with Responsibility confirmed this was a valuable and valued service and referred to developments in the area.

·         service reductions in the Registration Service and the effects this would have on specific geographical areas.  The Cabinet Member with Responsibility outlined the service for Bromsgrove for the questioner.

·         illegal horse grazing on verges across the county.  The Cabinet Member with Responsibility gave an outline of the legal position.

·         wider questions about the work of the Council with travellers.  The Cabinet Member with Responsibility referred to work being done to up-date the Council's protocols.

·         the speed of acquisition of new books for the Library Service was praised.

·         concerns about the budget of Trading Standards and their critical role in consumer protection

The Cabinet Member with Responsibility promised written responses on:

·         the results of the marketing campaign to promote the use of the naming and secular services provided by the Registration Service and how many new customers had applied as a result

·         the county now no longer has a choir for young people.  How and why has this situation come about?

·         The extent of work carried out on the county's footpaths over the last 12 months to ensure that people with a disability can access the beautiful Worcestershire countryside

·         When would any revised Gypsy, Roma, Traveller protocol come to members for approval before implementation?

The Chairman thanked the Cabinet Member with Responsibility for her report.

To receive the report of the Director of Resources on any Notices of Motion received by him (lilac pages).  Councillors are asked to note that any Notices of Motion must be received by the Director of Resourcesno later than noon on Thursday, 8 May 2014.

The Council had before it a Notice of Motion standing in the names of Mrs E B Tucker, Prof J Raine, Mrs F M Oborski, Mr T A L Wells, Mr M E Jenkins and Mrs S Askin as printed in the agenda papers.

The Motion was moved by Mr M E Jenkins and seconded by Mrs E B Tucker who both spoke in favour of it.

The Council agreed to consider the Motion on the day.

Before consideration of this Motion an amendment was moved by Mrs S L Blagg and seconded by Mr A I Hardman that the substantive motion be:

"This Council notes that the UNISON Ethical Care Charter sets minimum standards to protect the dignity and quality of life for people who need homecare.  It commits councils to buying homecare only from providers who give workers enough time, training and a living wage, so they can provide better quality care for thousands of service users who rely on it.

The Council asks the Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Adult Social Care to have regard to these social values in the Directorate's future direction when commissioning or delivering care services in partnership with the health service, but be mindful of the tight financial position of the Council to ensure the best outcomes for care users.  The Cabinet Member should consider the different areas covered by the Ethical Care Charter as well as other nationally recognised guidelines for health and social care."

The mover and seconder of the original motion declined to adopt the amendment and indicated they would not support it.

A discussion ensued during which the following principal points were made:

·         some members spoke against the amendment suggesting that it was essential for the Cabinet Member with Responsibility to report to Cabinet and set out all the implications of moving towards this laudable commitment

·         other members said this was the right thing to do and ensured the Council took a consistent line.  The Council had to be able to act flexibly to achieve the best outcomes for all parties.

·         another member stated that the Council was aware of the contents of the Charter and by and large acted in line with its principles.

On being put to the meeting the amendment was carried became the substantive motionand was then agreed.

The Council had before it a Notice of Motion standing in the names of Mr P M McDonald, Mr A T Amos, Mr J Baker and Ms P A Hill as printed in the agenda papers.

The Motion was moved by Mr P M McDonald and seconded by Mr A T Amos who both spoke in favour of it.

The Council agreed to consider the Motion on the day.

A discussion ensued during which the principal points made were:

·         that such payments were used to top up the pay of senior staff at the expense of the low-paid.  Other members said this was not the case and a payment of an honorarium was a very cost-effective way of managing the Council's workload, using the skills and talents of existing staff and rewarding those who gave their support in this way

·         that the £500,000 identified could and should be used to move towards the payment of the living wage to the lowest paid.  Other members suggested that the £500,000 was being properly and well spent

·         anonymised examples were quoted by one member to support the view that the Council was acting properly, prudently and in a business-like manner in paying honorariums.

On a named vote the Motion was lost.

Those voting in favour were: Ms P Agar, Mr A T Amos, Mrs S Askin, Mr J Baker, Mr C J Bloore, Mr S C Cross, Mr P Denham, Mr A Fry, Ms P A Hill, Mr M E Jenkins, Mr R C Lunn, Mr L C R Mallett, Mr P M McDonald, Mrs E B Tucker, Mr R M Udall (15).

Those voting against were: Mrs P E Davey, Mr R C Adams, Mr R W Banks, Mr M L Bayliss, Mr A N Blagg, Mrs S L Blagg, Mr J P Campion, Mr N Desmond, Mrs L R Duffy, Mrs E A Eyre, Mr S E Geraghty, Mr W P Gretton, Mrs J M L A Griffiths, Mr A I Hardman, Mr M J Hart, Mrs A T Hingley, Mrs L C Hodgson, Mr C G Holt, Mr I Hopwood, Mr J Parish, Dr K Pollock, Mr D W Prodger, Mrs M A Rayner, Mr A C Roberts, Mr J H Smith, Mr R J Sutton, Mr C B Taylor, Mr J W R Thomas, Mr P A Tuthill and Mr G C Yarranton (30) .

The Council had before it a Notice of Motion standing in the names of Mr P M McDonald, Mr C J Bloore and Ms P A Hill as printed in the agenda papers.

Before the Notice of Motion was moved or seconded the Head of Legal & Democratic Services was asked to give his advice on the validity of the Motion.  He confirmed that as worded it was in order and related to the Council's function to appoint councillors to the Fire and Rescue Authority. The Chairmanship of the Fire and Rescue Authority was not a function of this Council but of the Fire and Rescue Authority.

The motion was then moved by Mr P M McDonald and seconded by Mr C J Bloore. Mr P M McDonald spoke in favour of the motion considering that the decision to pay for the Chief Fire Officer's operation after he had returned to duty was wrong.

The Council agreed to consider the Motion on the day.

A discussion ensued during which the following principal points were made:

·         there was widespread support expressed for the Chairman of the Fire and Rescue Authority

·         that the actions taken in relation to the Chief Fire Officer's medical treatment were in line with those for other uniformed members of the service

·         that the actions taken were within the procedures of the Authority. The decision had ensured a senior officer was back on duty with the least detriment to the Service.

An attempt to withdraw the Motion after the vote had been called was ruled out of order by the Chairman upon the advice of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services.

On being put to the meeting the motion was lost.

The Council had before it a Notice of Motion standing in the names of Mrs E B Tucker, Prof. J Raine, Mrs F M Oborski, Mr T A L Wells, Mr M E Jenkins and Mrs S Askin as printed in the agenda papers.

The Motion was moved by Mrs E B Tucker and seconded by Mrs S Askin who both spoke in favour of it.

The Council agreed to consider the Motion on the day.

A discussion ensued during which the following principal points were made:

·         concern was expressed about the flow of information to councillors and how proposed changes like this were being overlooked as a result

·         delegation to the Joint Committee had been agreed by all seven councils involved and there was no reason not to explore the options. A final decision would come back to all seven authorities

·         the Council was acting in accordance with the approach taken by all constituent councils, and a change in the partnership arrangements would be a matter for the constituent councils to reach consensus upon, and a service briefing was being arranged for 2 June.

·         A Joint Scrutiny was already underway and would inform the decision-making process.

On being put to the meeting the Motion was lost.

To consider the report of the Audit and Governance, Planning and Regulatory and Standard and Ethics Committees (white pages - attached) which summarise the decisions taken at those meetings.

The Council received the report of the Audit and Governance Committee containing a summary of decisions taken.

The Council received the report of the Planning and Regulatory Committee containing a summary of decisions taken.

The Council received the report of the Standard and Ethics Committee containing a summary of decisions taken.